Parents' Guide to

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions

By Chad Sapieha, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

All-ages RPG shows benefits of teamwork.

Game Nintendo 3DS 2017
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions Poster Image

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Good games tend to stand the test of time, and this one is no different. With only minor graphical enhancements, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions isn't the prettiest game on Nintendo 3DS, but its action remains absolutely compelling. Longtime fans of the series might find some of the brothers' techniques a bit simple -- both visually and mechanically -- compared to what they've gotten up to in more recent games like Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, but both exploration and combat remain undeniably satisfying. And Fawful's bizarrely worded monologues remind us why he's one of the most laugh-out-loud funny characters ever to appear in any Mario game. The classic RPG elements -- including upgradeable gear and slowly growing attributes that increase the brothers' power and luck -- are just the sugar on top, sure to satiate just about anyone with a hankering for traditional RPG systems.

This modern classic would be worth playing -- again or for the first time -- all on its own. What makes this edition even more alluring, however, is the addition of what is essentially a second game that takes place alongside the original story but puts players in control of Captain Goomba and a variety of Bowser's multitudinous minions, each with their own strength and weakness. It lacks the depth of the main campaign, but introduces a fresh strategic element that revolves around choosing the right minions for the job -- something you'll be able to do in advance by taking into account which enemies lie in wait. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions might not be quite as exciting as a brand-new entry in the series, but as remakes go, it's one worth getting a little twitterpated over.

Game Details

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